Provided to DogTrekker by Vetted Pet Care:
On January 1st, three new pet-related laws went into effect in California. Although all these measures were passed in months and years prior, they didn't actually codify into law until the change of the new year.
These include pet stores now only allowed to sell rescues, changes in pet custody during divorce proceedings and first responders are now allowed to provide potentially life saving care to dogs and other pets after an emergency.
CA Pet Stores Now Only Allowed to Sell Rescues:
Passed in late 2017, legislation AB-485 went into effect on January 1st, 2019. Pet stores in California are now no longer allowed to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits that come from anywhere other than rescue organizations.
The law is meant to curb "puppy mills" and "kitten factories" and is the first statewide law of its kind in the country. Any pet store owners caught in violation of the law can be fined up to $500 per pet. It will still be legal for individuals to purchase pets directly from breeders.
CA Pets Now Required to be Treated as More than "Property" in a Divorce:
Until the passage of Assembly Bill 2274, pets were technically considered "community property" by the state of California during divorce proceedings. The bill, which went into effect on Jan. 1, established the concept of pet custody here in California. Proponents say it's a more humane way of looking at pets as part of the family.
Judges are now encouraged to consider factors like care, medical attention, safety, and feeding when determining custodial rights of pets. Much like for children, divorcing pet owners can now ask for sole, joint, or shared custody of pets.
Mouth-to-Snout Emergency Resuscitation Now Legal:
Before SB 1305 went into effect on January 1st, first responders and other emergency personnel were legally required to wait for a veterinarian to provide potentially life-saving care to dogs, cats, and other animals after an emergency.
The new law absolves rescuers and their employers of liability in such cases, effectively making it legal for first responders to provide basic first aid to animals they encounter in the field.
Posted on: June 30, 2022